The simple 9-word mantra I use to combat feelings of overwhelm:

Just over 3 years ago, I quit my 9 to 5 corporate job on Wall Street.

And on my first day without a job (and being a full-time entrepreneur), I burst awake with a strong feeling of freedom & excitement.

"Woah – I can do literally anything I want today."

But as someone who prefers routine & structure, this freedom & excitement soon melted into discomfort. (Freedom isn’t necessarily liberating!)

I spent the first few days trying to make progress in 100 different directions. I was trying to do everything (and as a result, I didn’t do anything).

Then, I stumbled across a little quote inside Derek Sivers’ latest book How To Live – and since reading it, I can’t stop repeating it.

"You can have anything you want, but not everything."

Right away, I recognized how this applied in every area of my life (and was the exact saying I needed to internalize).

• Health. You can eat anything you want, but not everything.

• Writing. You can write anything you want, but not everything.

• Travel. You can go anywhere you want, but not everywhere.

• Business. Your business can solve any problem it wants, but not every problem.

• Relationships. You can be friends with anyone you want, but not everyone.

Now, anytime I feel like I’m spinning my wheels or pulling myself in a dozen different directions, I pause and repeat these 9 words.

This cures my overwhelm by forcing me to eliminate choices & excess decisions.

But, reminding myself I can have anything gives me the confidence & excitement to go and pursue it–which is the whole point of having personal freedom in the first place!